Fuel-feed for internal-combustion engines



E. R. HARRIS.v FUEL FEED Fon INTERNAL coMBusTloN ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I9. |919- Patented Apr. 26, 1921..

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A TTORNEYS.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL RonNnY` HARRIS, oF GREENCASTLE, Imprima FUEL-FEED FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921..

Application filed April 19, 1919. Serial No. 291,343.

To all 107mm t may concer/n:

Be it known that I, EARL R. HARRIS, a citizenv of the United States, and a resident of Greencastle, county of Putnam and State of Indiana, have invented a certa-1n new and useful Fuel-F eed for Internal-Combustion Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts.

This invention relates to a fuel pump for internal combustion engines, and means for easy starting of an internal combustion en-.

gine which will permit the use of a variety of fuel, due to the fact that the fuel is constantly under pressure.

The novel features of this invention are that unlike the principle of fuel mixers` or carbureters now used, which are dependent on the engine suction to draw the fuel through nozzles or valves, this device delivers the completely broken up fuel to the intake manifold or other receptacle of the engine Without the aid of, and independent of the engine suction or speed. Another feature of the invention is that unlike the fuel mixers or carbureters now used which draw in the fuel only during the suction stroke of the engine, this invention gives a. continuous flow of vaporized fuel to the intake manifold or other receptacle and gets its air during the suction stroke of the engine. By a continuous flow of fuel, a longer period is allowed for vaporizing the fuel. Unlike other devices used it is not necessary to place several resistance valves or dampers on the air to create a suction around the fuel nozzle or valve as is required on the fuel mixers or carbureters. One air valve is all that 1s re uired on this device and that, for regulating the amount of air admitted to the engine. This allows the engine at wide open throttle to obtain a greater volume of fuel and air which increases the range thereof.

Another advantage of this invention is that a partial vacuum is ever present in the intake manifold, and by spraying the fuel lnto this partial vacuum in a continual mist, the further vapor-ization of the fuel is aided so that when the intake valve opens and draws in the air it completely mixes with the vaporizing fuel in the intake manifold wlnch goes to the engine in aiform to give the most. complete combustion and therefore the'hest results in economy and power from a given amount of fuel.

In the accompanying drawings which are y made a part of this application Figure l shows a 'side elevation of an internal combustion engine showing the means for supplylng fuel attached thereto. F ig. 2 is an enlarged view showing a side elevation of the fuel pump and intake, with parts broken away to show a cross section through the relief valve, pressure tank and spray nozzle.

In the drawings there is shown an internal combustion engine 10 having an exhaust manifold 11 and an intake manifold 12.

The water pump 13 is driven from the crank shaft in the usual manner and drives a shaft 14 which causes the sprocket chain 15 to drive the sprocket wheel 16 mounted on the pump shaft 17. A fuel pump of any suitable construction, not shown herein is inclosed in the pump housing'18, into which fue] is drawn through the pipe 19 from the fuel reservoir 20. The fuel is pumped from said reservoir by said pump through the pipe 21 into the pressure chamber 22 under pressure against the air cushion 23 formed in the top of said chamber. At the inlet of the pipe 21 into said chamber, there is a check valve 24 which prevents the liquid fuel 25, which has been pumped into said chamber under pressure, from returning or escaping through the pipe 21. In direct communication with said pipe 21 there is a relief valve housing 26 containing a relief valve 27 which is seated therein under the pressure of spring 28. The spring 28 isadjustable to exert an desired pressure on said valve by the han wheel 29, by means of which the spring retaining cap may be screwed up and down in the housing 26. The pipe 30 leads directly from said relief valve back to the fuel reservoir 20 whereby the fluid may be returned thereto after the pressure chamber has been filled to the maximum pressure. This pressure is determined by the spring 28 which will permit the valve under pressure where it is available for' starting, before the fuel pressure feed system begins to operate. y

Opening directly from the pressure tank 22 there is a fuel passageway 31 iii which a needle valve 32 is slidably mounted, and extends into the opening 33 between the fuel passageway and mixing chamber 34. The

needle valve 32 is adjustably secured to a check valve 35, to which is secured a push rod 36 slidably mounted in said passageway and pivotally connected to the operating lever 37, whereby said lever, beingmanually olperated for controlling the fuel supply to t e interna-l combustion engine, will open and close said needle valve and check valve so that the liquid under pressure in said liquid chamber will be forced by said valve under pressure when it is o en for causing a fine spray to be discharge .into the mixing cham er 34. Connected up to the mixing chamber there is an air passage 38 which is controlled by a butterfly air valve 39 mounted in the mixing chamber 34, and adjustably secured to the lever 37 whereby a given ratio of air and fuel will be admitted into the intake chamber. The needle valve 32 and the check valve 35 are operated by the lever 37 when the motor is started, but the check valve 35 closes automatically under pressure from the pressure tank when the motor is idle.

An adjusting screw 49 is provided on. the

lever 37 for regulating the relative `osition of the butterfly air valve and need e valve for controlling the ratio of fuel and air required to give the best results. The pressure on the check valve 35 keeps this valve closed and retains the fuel under pressure where it is available for starting the engine before the fuel pressure feed system begins to operate. As the throttle lever is advanced it opens the very small opening in the spray nozzle and at the saine time the check valve begins to open, the air valve opens also. As more fuel is admitted, the amount of air is increased in direct ratio, as the valves work in relation to one another. The continual stead spraying of the fuel into the intake cham er allows for a minute spray nozzle or'needle valve being used which completely breaks up the fuel.

It will be understood that the specific construction of valves, and operating rods as set forth in the abovespecifications may be departed from without departing fromA the spirit of this invention,

operating means for regulating the ratio ofA fuel to air admitted through said valves.

2. A device for supplying fuel to an. internal combustion engine, including a mixing chamber, a pressure chamber, a assageway between said pressure cham er and mixing chamber, means for forcing fuel into said pressure chamber, a check valve insaid passageway for normally preventing the fuel to enter'said mixin chamber from said pressure chamber, a nee le valve in said passageway for controlling the passage of the fuel into said mixing chamber when said check valve is open, and a single means for opening said check valve and controlling said needle valve.

3. A device for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, including a mixing chamber, a pressure chamber, a passageway Abetween said pressure chamber and mixing chamber, means for forcing fuel into said pressure chamber, a check valve in said passageway for normally1 preventing the fuel to enter said mixing c amber from said pressure chamber, a needle valve in said passageway for controlling the passage of the fuel into said mixing chamber when said check valve is open, and a single means for opening said check valve and controlling said needle valve, an air intake in cominunication with said mixing chamber, a valve mounted in said air intake and a single means for opening said check valve and controlling said needle valve and air intake valve for regulating the amount of air and fuel passing into said mixing chamber.

4. A device for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, including a fuel reservoir, a pressure chamber in communication with said engine, a fuel pump mounted between, said reservoir and pressure chamber and operated mechanically by said engine, for pumping fuel from said reservoir to said chamber under pressure, a relief valve mounted between said fuel pump and pressure chamber, adjustable means on said valve for permitting it to be opened when the fuel in said chamber acquires a certain pressure whereby said relief' valve will permit the fuel to be pumped back into f with said pressure chamber and mixing chamber, a needle Valve slidably mounted in said passageway for controlling the com munication with said pressure chamber and mixing chamber, a check valve in said passageway for normally preventing the escape of fuel from said chamber, an 'air intake 'in communication with said mixing chamber, a valve for regulating said air intake,

a single means for controlling said air valve, needle valve and check Valve simultaneously, and means for adjusting said air valve to said single operating means for regulating the mixture of air and fuel entering said mixing chamber.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EARL .RODNEY HARRIS. 

